Toni Edmondson
An outstanding shooting performance in the Australian WNBL headlines this week’s efforts by Tall Ferns overseas.
Toni Edmondson put on a shooting clinic converting 6 from 7 three points attempts as she amassed 24 points for Perth Lynx on Sunday – 22 points coming in a five minutes spell either side of the three-quarter time mark!
For the record Perth beat bottom placed Adelaide Lightning 102-52. Edmondson remarked, “It’s definitely been a while since I felt like that.” Unfortunately most of us never get to experience the feeling Edmondson was referring to.
Also in the WNBL Melbourne Boomers wound up their pre Xmas programme with a welcome 70-50 win against Canberra Capitals. Jess Bygate shot a perfect 4 from 4 for the Boomers and also corralled 5 rebounds.
In Europe Jillian Harmon continues to light up the Italian league. The power forward accrued 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists as Le Mura Lucca remained top of the table after defeating San Martino 76-61. Oh and she had the small matter of 5 steals as an aside!
Despite a poor shooting night (1/7FG) Kalani Purcell was still able to make a major contribution to BYU Provo Cougars 60-40 success at Utah State. The Tall Ferns forward only scored three points but did contribute a team high 8 rebounds and 5 assists as the Cougars improve to 6-4 for the season.
Mate v Mate
Chevannah Paalvast and Micaela Cocks will head into the festive season a little happier than Jordan Hunter after Townsville Fire improved to 8-7 in the WNBL following a 74-68 road win against Adelaide Lightning. The Lightning bolted to an early 22-16 lead but were doused (35-25) in the second half.
Hunter failed to score but was productive in other areas in her 33 minutes collecting 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal. For the Fire Paalvast had 3 points plus a pair of rebounds and assists whilst Cocks dished 2 assists to accompany 4 points and 6 rebounds.
It is also bragging rights for Stella Beck over Krystal Leger-Walker as St Mary’s Gaels defeated Northern Colorado Bears 75-65 on Saturday. Beck, a former Hutt Valley player is having a fine season and almost recorded a double double as she registered 14 points and 9 rebounds. Leger Walker made 6 points for the Bears.
LACEY LOWDOWN 